Shastri-Naik woes end
MCA pitch curator Sudhir Naik had accused India’s team Director, Ravi Shastri of abusing him after the final ODI in Wankhede when South Africa thrashed India after scoring the highest total in ODIs in India, 438. Now, Naik has reportedly withdrawn any accusations on Ravi and all is good between the two.
According to ESPNCricinfo, Mumbai Cricket Association Vice President, Dilip Vengsarkar had met both the parties and asked them to “bury the matter”. The press release by MCA mentioned that this was just a “misunderstanding” and nothing else.
India being the hosts always asks for the pitches that suit them and their abilities, which is slow turning pitches. This time, Naik claimed that no such information was provided to him before the match which led him to make a batsman-friendly wicket.
The wicket was rather too friendly for the batsmen when Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers, and Quinto de Kock scored centuries and propelled South Africa’s score to 438. India were bowled out for just 214 which led South Africa to win the five-match limited over series, 3-2.
After the match, Naik reported that Shastri was reported to have passed on sarcastic comments on Naik. The team director had said, “Great Wicket”. According to Naik’s accusations, Shastri had cursed him after the match, but Ravi denies any such heated conversations with the Wankhede curator.
Naik’s letter to Mumbai Cricket Association mentioned that India’s bowling coach, B Arun had approached Naik’s assistant Rajesh Mhamunkar. Sudhir mentioned that it was unnecessary for Arun to approach his assistant. Rajesh Mhamunkar looks after the domestic pitches at the Wankhade.
Vengsarkar said, “Both shook hands and Mr. Naik decided to withdraw the letter written to Mumbai Cricket Association.” This was all just a misunderstanding between the 2 former Mumbai players.
All is now good between the two though South Africa took the series home with a huge margin win in the final ODI which might have made the team director go a little hard on the curator.